KINDERGARTEN ROUND UPMonday, April 6th thru Friday, April 17th
9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Hermon Hutchens School Office
All parents with children five years old on or before September 1, 2015
• Registration for Kindergarten will take place from April 6-17 at Hermon Hutchens office.
• A REGISTERED birth certificate and shot records will be needed for pre-enrollment.
• If you are unable to come in during these dates, please call the school at 835-4728. VCS would like to get an accurate count of students for next year.

All meetings of City Council and School Board are held in City Council Chambers, broadcast on 1230AM KVAK and streamed LIVE on www.kvakradio.com

JACK LONDON BOOKS DONATED TO VCS LIBRARIES FROM
'THE BIG READ'

Pamela Verfaillie - Superintendent Nygaard receives books from Karen Allred and Sue Bergstrom of KCHU. Jack London books were purchased for and donated to the Valdez High School, Gilson Middle School and Hermon Hutchens Elementary School Libraries.
In addition, books will also be sent to schools in Glennallen, Cordova and Tatitlek.
"The Big Read" is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. Local partners include the Valdez Consortium Library, Valdez Museum and Historical Archive, S.P.A.C.E. and KCHU Community Public Radio.

The GMS LEGO Robotics team is hosting a competition this Friday and Saturday at the Civic Center. This event will host numerous events such as a LEGO vehicle race and presentations from the school LEGO Robotics teams. The event is open to the public and in order to participate in the Lego Contest participants must bring their own LEGO creation.

THE GMS ANNUAL INVENTION AND ENGINEERING FAIRWednesday, March 11 2015
10:00am to 11:30am
at the Gilson Middle School

The Gilson Middle School is hosting their annual Invention and Engineering Fair this Wednesday from 10:00am to 11:30am at the Gilson Middle School. The event will display invention from the students of the middle school. This event is free and open to the public.

All meetings of City Council and School Board are held in City Council Chambers, broadcast on 1230AM KVAK and streamed LIVE on www.kvakradio.com

VALDEZ CITY SCHOOLS INSERVICE DAYS
February 13th & 16th - (No School for Students)
Monday, February 16th - Parent-Teacher Conferences
CHRISTENSEN IS HERMON HUTCHENS SPELLING BEE CHAMPION
Cogratulations to 4th grade HHES student Rylee Christensen who earned the title of 2015 HHES Spelling Bee Champion. Christensen has the opportunity to travel to Anchorage to compete in the Alaska State Spelling Bee on March 5th.
GMS ANNOUNCES GEOGRAPHY BEE WINNERS
Jacob Porritt won the Geography Bee competition at Gilson Middle School and that took a qualifying exam that was submitted to National Geographic. If Porritt’s score is high enough, he will move to the State Geography Bee. Second place in the contest went to Douglas Cummins and Storm Rohrer placed third.

DRUG POLICY MEETING AN UPDATE
The Drug Policy meeting held at the Valdez High School library last Thursday night drew a handful of parents and interested community members and featured panelists: High School Principal Rod Schug; Police Officer Erin Baczuk; Athletic Director Lea Cockerham; HHES Counselor Gianna Guisti; GMS Counselor Kyra Myer and GMS Principal Rod Morrison. The panelists made presentations on what they were doing at their respective schools. Members of the panel criticized the current drug and alcohol policy, explaining some of the concerns and saying it needed to be written. The Drug and Alcohol Policy committee has not yet been put together. It is being headed up by Rod Morrison. There is no expected completion date for a revised policy.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGMonday, January 26th 2015
at City Council Chambers

FEBRUARY AND MARCH BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MENUSCLICK HERE for the BREAKFAST menuCLICK HERE for the LUNCH menu

GMS ASSISTANT COACHES NEEDED

Volleyball
Gilson Middle School is in need of an Assistant Volleyball Coach. The season runs from January 5, 2015 through March 8, 2015. This is a paid position. If interested, please call 834-4701, stop by the Admin Office for an Application, or go online to www.valdezcityschools.org and click on Employment.

Wrestling
Gilson Middle School is in need of an Assistant Wrestling Coach. The season runs from January 5, 2015 through March 8, 2015. This is a paid position. If interested, please call 834-4701, stop by the Admin Office for an Application, or go online to www.valdezcityschools.org and click on Employment.

DRUG TESTING POLICY TO BE DISCUSSED TONIGHT (12-08-14)
KVAK Radio had the opportunity to interview Superintendent Jim Nygaard about the proposed drug testing policy to be voted on at the School Board meeting tonight. The interview will air during the 6pm news hour tonight before the 6:30pm meeting in Council Chambers. In the interview, Nygaard referenced a list of surveys and police department statistics that were reviewed to determine need for the policy. This list also has links to the proposed Drug Testing Policy and procedures. This list is on the school district website, under Nygaard's Superintendent report.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGMonday, December 8th 2014
at City Council ChambersWork Session – 6pm
Legislative PrioritiesRegular Meeting – 6:30pm
Items include:Policy Reviews; Removal of the essay portion of the activities handbook consequences; Approval for the purchase of laptop computers for the 2015 5th grade; and Approval of reimbursement for the cost of active substitutes physical examThe Action Items to be discussed include:
Approval of 2nd Reading - Drug Testing Policy
1st Reading of Valdez City School District Credit Card Policy

All meetings of City Council and School Board are held in City Council Chambers, broadcast on 1230AM KVAK and streamed LIVE on www.kvakradio.comDRUG TESTING POLICY TO BE DISCUSSED TONIGHT
KVAK Radio had the opportunity to interview Superintendent Jim Nygaard about the proposed drug testing policy to be voted on at the School Board meeting tonight. The interview will air during the 6pm news hour tonight before the 6:30pm meeting in Council Chambers. In the interview, Nygaard referenced a list of surveys and police department statistics that were reviewed to determine need for the policy. This list also has links to the proposed Drug Testing Policy and procedures. This list is on the school district website, under Nygaard's Superintendent report.

PART-TIME CUSTODIAL HELP NEEDED!
Valdez City Schools is in need of 2 part-time on-call weekend custodians. Hours are dependent upon game and activity schedules. The pay is $17.95/hour. If interested, please call 834-4701.

GMS AFTER THE BELL PROGRAM IS UNDERWAY
Since the school year of 2002-2003, the Gilson “After the Bell” program has provided a safe, drug free environment for students through an extended day program. Activities offered range from art, computer commons, math assistance, academic tutoring, arts and crafts, cooking, open gym, and board games. At the conclusion of the day (4:30 pm) transportation is provided for those students at the end of a school day.

Parent teacher conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, September 23rd. There will be NO SCHOOL for any students that day. Valdez High School conference times are from 12pm-3pm, and again from 6pm-8pm. Parents, please sign in at the office and get your students’ progress reports and take some time to visit their teachers for a more in-depth report.

HHES INDIVIDUAL SURVIVAL KIT INFORMATIONCLICK HERE for a list of what to include with your child's individual survival kit, required for all HHES students.

2014 SCHOOL CLIMATE AND CONNECTEDNESS SURVEY RESULTS
Valdez students and staff participated in the yearly statewide survey, which measures how the school climate is perceived. The survey seeks to determine how connected the students feel to adults and their peers in a way that directly correlates to how they perform in school. This includes the students and staff reporting on how many times they’ve witnessed students participating in risky behaviors like drug and alcohol use. Results from students showed a significant increase in student ratings over last year in the areas of: School Safety, Peer Climate, Caring Adults, and Parent and Community Involvement. The areas of noteworthy decline over the previous year were in the categories of: High Expectations, School Leadership and Student Involvement, and Respectful Climate. The staff results showed increased ratings in every category surveyed. However, students and staff results concurred that there was a considerable increase in reports of delinquent behavior at school and during school events. Students added that this included the use of drugs and alcohol, while staff reports disagreed. CLICK HERE to read the entire report.

SUPPLIES LIST BY CLASSROOM
Click on each classroom listed below to see the list of class supplies suggested to send with your child to start off the new school year.

To avoid a last minute rush, please have your children arrive at the bus stop 3 to 5 minutes prior to scheduled pickup.
And teach them to NEVER CHASE THE BUS

If you have any questions on bus routes please call First Student @ 835-9525

NO PETITIONS OUT FOR SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES WITH DEADLINE QUICKLY APPROACHING
The deadline for nominating petitions for the offices of Mayor, City Council and School Board is THIS Friday, August 15th at 5:00 p.m. Petitions may be obtained at City Clerk's Office. The local election will be held October 7, 2014.

As of Friday, August 8, 2014 the status of candidates are as follows:Mayor
Alex Woolf - petition out
Jim Shirrell - petition out
Rich Long -petition out

City Council
Nate Smith - filed petition
Chris Moulton - petition out
Jim Shirrell - petition out
John May - petition out
Rich Long - petition out
Anna Lischka - petition out

School Board
No petitions out

To view the official notice of regular and school board election for the city of Valdez.CLICK HERE

MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE

CLICK HERE for last week’s weekly report on the middle school construction.

HERMON HUTCHENSELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Registration for Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students who did not attend Valdez City Schools last year (and have not already pre-registered) begins Friday, August 1st - Friday, August 8th, 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon and 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
GILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL
For students enrolled in Valdez City Schools last year:8TH GRADE August 25th, 9:00 a.m. -
12:00 p.m.7TH GRADE August 26th, 9:00 a.m. -
12:00 p.m.6TH GRADE August 27th, 9:00 a.m. -
12:00 p.m.
For students NOT enrolled in Valdez City School last year:Please call 835-2244 any time after August 11, 2014 for an appointment.

*New StudentsGilson Middle School, Valdez High School,Hermon Hutchens Elementary SchoolTo complete registration, new students will need: current immunization records, birth certificate copy, and school transcripts, a physical examination statement completed by a current licensed medical practitioner.

SPORTS FEES FOR THE
2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR

Valdez High School Students:
- $100.00 per student/per activity for Basketball, Cheerleading, Football, Nordic Skiing, Volleyball, Swimming, Wrestling, Cross-Country Running, Band, Choir, Track & Field, Baseball, Native Youth Olympics (NYO), and all Activity Managers. All students need to have a physical prior to participating in Sports. Hardship cases will be considered by the Principal.

Gilson Middle School Students:
- $100.00 per student/per activity for Basketball, Volleyball, Wrestling, Native Youth Olympics, and all Activity Managers.
- $100.00 per student/per activity for other activities with travel.
Hardship cases will be considered by the Principal.

FACILITIES USE
The 2014-2015 sports season for all state sponsored
activities, and most school sports events have been scheduled. To prevent building-use/playing time conflicts, the Valdez City School District requests that non-school
sponsored activity sponsors contact the Maintenance Office, 835-4706 (As Early As Possible) to review the schools’ scheduled activities prior to setting their schedules/seasons.

August 20-28, 2014 In-service Day ALL SCHOOLS – No SchoolAugust 29, 2014 Teacher Work Day ALL SCHOOLS – No SchoolSeptember 1, 2014 Holiday for all students and staff (Labor Day)September 2, 2014 SCHOOL OPENS GRADES 1 - 12September 9, 2014 First Day of School for KindergartenTo be announced First Day of School for PreschoolSeptember 23, 2014 ALL SCHOOLS: No School
(Parent Teacher Conferences)October 16, 2014 END OF FIRST QUARTEROctober 17, 2014 In-service Day ALL SCHOOLS – No SchoolNovember 27-28, 2014 Thanksgiving HolidayDecember 19, 2014 END OF SECOND QUARTER
First Semester Completed

January 5, 2015 In-Service Day ALL SCHOOLS – No SchoolJanuary 6, 2015 Back to School After ChristmasFebruary 13, 2015 In-service Day ALL SCHOOLS – No SchoolFebruary 16, 2015 ALL SCHOOLS: No School
(Parent Teacher Conferences)March 13, 2015 END OF THIRD QUARTERMarch 16-20, 2015 SPRING BREAKMay 17, 2015 Valdez High School BaccalaureateMay 19, 2015 Valdez High School GraduationMay 25, 2015 Holiday for all students and staff (Memorial Day)May 28, 2015 School Closes for All Students
Second Semester CompletedMay 29, 2015 Teacher Work Day ALL SCHOOLS – No School

Last Day of School for Teachers

SUBSTITUTES
Valdez City Schools is now accepting applications for substitute teachers; paraprofessionals; secretaries; food service workers; and custodians. Applications packets are available at the District Office at 1112 West Klutina Street. If you have substituted before or are new to the district and would like to substitute this year, call Flynn Stuparich at 834-4701 to get your name on the list and to make sure your application is current and complete.

VALDEZ CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT CHILD FIND

By law, all school-age children (3 - 21) in Alaska have the right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE). Some children may have a physical, mental or emotional condition requiring assistance in order to benefit from district educational services. If you know of a child ages 3 - 21 who is not in school and may have a disability, please notify Valdez City Schools. This could include:

Please call Valdez City School District Special Education Office at 907-834-4713 for an appointment. The district can help parents find the appropriate services for children with special needs.

NO SHOTS - NO SCHOOL
Check your health records to make sure your children have received all their immunizations. ALASKA LAW REQUIRES that all children be immunized against polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, Hepatitis A & B, measles, rubella, and have two Varicella shots if the child has not had chicken pox. If the child has had chicken pox medical verification is required in order to attend Alaska Schools. Verification that a child is appropriately immunized must be medically certified and show the date of each dose of vaccine. Provisions are available for medical or religious exemptions. If your child needs an immunization, contact your private physician, public health nurse or local health department.

GILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATECLICK HERE to view the weekly update of July 13th.

GILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATECLICK HERE to view the June 25th weekly update.

VALDEZ HIGH SCHOOL YEAR-END REPORTCLICK HERE to view the year end statistics of VHS.

GILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL YEAR END REPORTCLICK HERE to see the Gilson Middle Schools student and school statistics for the 2013-2014 school year.

VHS LIBRARY
The VHS Library was chosen to receive a copy of the 25 books nominated for the Young Adult Library Association's Teen's Top Ten Booklist! Look for the books to arrive and be available at the Valdez Consortium Library in mid-June and will be transferred to VHS in the fallCLICK HERE to read more

NYGAARD HIRED AS NEW SUPERINTENDENT
Jim Nygaard has been hired as Superintendent of Schools and will start in his position ay 19th. Nygaard was the Alaska Superintendent of the year during 2012 while he was in Cordova and brings 35 years of education experience to Valdez.

COMMUNITY INVITED TO MEET ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL CANDIDATES
Candidates for HHES Principal will be in the library for a community "Meet and Greet" from Tuesday 5pm to 5:45pm.

ROD SCHUG NAMED PRINCIPAL OF VALDEZ CITYSCHOOLS
Rod Schug was approved as the Valdez High School Principal by the Valdez School Board last Friday. Schug is currently the Superintendent at Yakutat High School.

VHS STUDENTS USE NEW GRADE PROGRAM TO REGISTER FOR FALL 2014 COURSES
From Melissa Reese, Director of Education Services
Valdez City Schools is committed to helping students maximize their academic achievement and communication is a key component of this goal. Currently, students and parents have access to student grades and related course material on school websites via Edline. Last fall, Valdez City Schools staff researched grade systems that allow students and parents more direct, immediate access to grades. The Modular Management System for Schools (MMS) grading program was selected for
implementation next school year. This program is a component of the school’s current information system and provides secure, self-service web-based access to parents so they are informed about their student’s daily progress in school.
Valdez High School has activated the MMS Parental Portal including online course registration which enables parents and students to select the courses together. This spring, students will use the MMS Portal to select VHS courses for the school year 2014-2015. After students finalize course selections, the MMS student information system will be used to place students into course sections. This process will streamline registration and reduce scheduling time.
In preparation for VHS course registration, MMS Parent Portal instructions have been mailed home to high school and 8th grade parents. High school parents are encouraged to activate their accounts right away. All other parents will be provided with instructions this year.
Please note that Edline is still being used for grade reporting this school year. Current daily grades will not be available on the MMS Parental Portal until next school year.
Helping students attain academic success is a top priority for Valdez City Schools. VCS is excited about the opportunity of providing an on-line course registration method for high school students.

Learning Technology for Summer Use
Want to help your student keep their reading and math skills
strong through the summer? Visit the HHES Splash Page,
URL is below, or you can just search: HHES Splash Page.
Additionally, there are links and directions for Math-Whizz,
Lexia, and ScootPad. Students can even accrew points on Scootpad over
the summer that can be redeemed for cool prizes when school resumes.
Students should have their passwords memorized, if you need help
accessing these resources there are step by step directions on the Splash
Page, or you can email Mrs. Keeney at: skeeney@valdezcityschools.org

Parent Advisory Committee
The PAC consists of Valdez parents who meet quarterly
as active participants in the planning of the Title I
Reading Program, Indian Education Program and the
Migrant Education Program. If you are interested in the
PAC, please contact Tristy Morrison at 834-4718.

GMS OPENING DATE
The NEW Middle School will be complete EARLY!
School will start for all students September 2nd. All the details of the 2014/15 calendar are in works, to be finalized at the school board meeting on April 14th.

HHES PARENT RESOURCE CENTER INFORMATION
The Parent Resource Center at HHES offers both family and student resource materials for all ages. Drop in for a cup of coffee or tea, and allow us to share our materials with
you. We offer a large variety of resource books, mentor programs, federal program
information, Valdez Reads tutoring, and more. Stop in, and check out what the PRC has to offer today.